Staff report

WINSTON-SALEM — North Rowan’s boys basketball team had two shots at the end that would have won it.

Amir Alexander’s jumper from the elbow wouldn’t fall and neither would George Maxwell’s contested shot in the lane as time expired.

Parkland’s Mustangs (2-1) got 20 points from Christian Williams and won 64-63 against the Cavaliers (1-1) on Friday.

It was a 4A against a 1A, but it was even all the way. Neither team could get much separation. Parkland led 28-26 at halftime and took a three-point edge to the fourth quarter.

“We never got in sync on offense, didn’t shoot well at all and didn’t rebound well, so we got hurt by their second-chance points,” North head coach Jason Causby said. “Still, we were right there at the end with a chance to win it.”

Alexander and Maxwell, who rebounded Alexander’s late miss and tried to follow, are seniors, guys that North wants to be taking those shots at the end. It just didn’t work out this time.

“We fought hard and learned a lot about our team,” Causby said. “You like to get those learning experiences in wins, but this time we’re going to have to learn from a tough loss.”

North made only three 3-pointers after knocking down 10 in the opener, but Parkland did a good job of challenging shooters.

Jayden Polk was spectacular, at times, for the Cavaliers with dunks and one 3-pointer. He scored 15. Maxwell had 13. Alexander added 10.

North Rowan     15    11   13    24   — 63

Parkland            12     16    15    21   — 64

NORTH — Polk 15, Maxwell 13, Alexander 10, Morrow 8, Charleston 8, Alford 3, Mosley 2, C. Williams 2, Tarver 2.

PARKLAND — Ch. Williams 20, Moore 11, Jackson 10, Walker 8, Downing 7, Yost 4, T. Williams 2, Covert 2.